Leaf-spring spreader.



J. M. HOMMEL.

v lLEAF SPRING SPREADEH. APPIICATON FILED FEB- 26. i915.

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Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

. JsEPH M". Hoivnvinr., or DETROIT, interfieren.

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specification of tetten Patent.

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Application lediE'elbrua'ry 26, 1915. Serial No. 10,676.

Yand renact description of the sa1nc,such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it pertains to inake and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings,` which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to spreaders for leaf-springs and its object is a simple and inexpensive device for spreading the leaves of vehicle springs in order that a lubricant may be introduced therebetween. A. further ,objectiefA the invention is a device that opery ates with ease and rapidity and that is adjustable for use with springs of various widths, the arrangement being such that the device may be positively adiusted for use with a. spring of any particular width within the capacity of thedevice. A further object is a device that is strong and serviceable in use and in which the spreader is locked in position when inserted between the leaves preventing a displacement thereof b v the tendency of the spring tol close np. y These and other `objects and`` novel features of construction are hereinafter more fully described and/claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1` is a' perspective view of a device embodying my invention showing the parts in the position assumed in use.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device.

Fig;- 3 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig.l 4 is a vertical section of the spreader point taken. onlinem-sr of Fig. 3.

Similar `characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing and specification.

an end 2 at right angles thereto terminating in spreader point 3 termed at right anglesV tothe end 2 and extending toward the rear of the shank parallel therewith. The length ofthe endportion 2 is suchvas to allow the device to engage aboutl a spring. The shank and spreader point' are preferablyl formed of a single piece, and oneedge ofthe shank is notched at 4; as shown. VA block or carriage 5 of proper forni" isslidably inounted on the' shank, portions 6 of which being adapted t6 engage the V said notches onf the Asllianln r'Ih'ecarriage is'apertured at 7 to per end of the carriage 5 is a lever l0 preferably bifurcated at the pivoted end to receive a roller ll between the forks thereof. The forked end of the lever is also provided with lugs l2 and 13 on each fork respectively, adapted to engage against the side of Ate spring when the lever is turned to draw i t e spreader between. the leaves. The notches in the shank are formed one-quarter of an inch from point to point, as vehicle springs usually vary in width by quarterinches; the first notch nearest the spreader point is so positioned that the carriage may be set for use with a spring of the least width, .and by setting the carriage backward away `from the spreader point.l the device may be set for use with springs of the various standard widths.

In use the spreader point is set to engage between adjacent leavesV of a spring, the lever at that tiinebeing tnrned to the posi-- tion shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. 4The .lever or prying member is then brought fory U ency of the leaves to close tends to force the The device consists of a shank l. having` than the opening between the lea-ves, 'whereby theroller is prevented from being forced between the said leaves in operation. It is also to benotedthat the spreader point is substantially oval in shape as-shown in Fig.

4, and is provided with a circular sharp edge, the purpose of which is to reduce the friction in forcing the spreader between the leaves. The opening between the leaves of a spring when spread is substantially that of a horizontally positioned V. In introducing a. flat, wedge-shaped, spreader between the leaves, that side only of the spreader nearer the point of angle of the leaves will be engaged by both the upper and lower leaves while the opposite side of the spreader will be out of engagement therewith or, at least, with one of the leaves, due to the greater distance between the leaves at that point. The wedge-shaped flat point, therefore, is diflicult to insert between the leaves, and a cone-shaped point commonly used is also difficult to insert, by reason of the fact that the surfaceof the leaves contacted by the spreader is a mere line and the force required to insert either al fiat or cone-shaped spreader is sufficient to cause either form to .cut into and deform the edge of the leaves. With a wedge-shaped oval spreader f as herein described and claimed, the shape of the spreader from the center to either side quite closely agrees with the angle between the spread leaves and is thus adapted for use on either side of a spring. Alsothe surface in contact with the leaves is et such width as not to cut into the same as with the conewshaped or flat wedge spreader. The oval shaped spreader member is, therefore, more readily inserted and is more efficient in use.

I am aware of other devices for this pm lpose in which spreader points are inserted between the leaves of a spring by means of a screw which devices are not very serviceable in use, principally for the reason that considerable time and labor is involved in forcing the points between the leaves. Vith my improved device a spring may be spread in the manner indicated in few seconds, requiring but little effort on the part of the operator. Furthermore the device is very quickly adjustable for use with springs of various widths by simply releasing the setscrew at the bottom of the carriage and raising the carriage to pass over the notches. for which purpose the apertures 7 in the car riage are longer than the width of the shank. The device is also very strong` principally by reason of the shank and spreader point being formed of a single piece as described.

Having thus brieliy described my invention, its utility, and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is*- 1. A leaf-spring spreader comprising a shank, a spreader carried thereby, a pivotally mounted prying member adjustable on the shank and means for locking the prying member in its adjusted position.

2. A leaf-spring spreader comprising a member in its adjusted shank, a spreader member carried thereby, a carriage adjustable on the shank, means for securing the carriage in its adjusted position, and a prying member consisting of a lever pivotcd on the carriage and provided with .a flat-faced roller adapted to engage the side of the spring to force the spreader between the leaves, said lever having a part adapted to engage the side of the spring when the point of contact ofthe roller has passed beyondV a line drawn from the spreader point to the pivot point of the lever thereby locking the device in position.

3. A leaf-spring spreader comprisinga shank, a spreader member carried thereby, 'a carriage adjustable on the shank, means for securing the carriage in its adjusted position, a lever pivoted to the carriage, a roller mounted in the short end of the lever, said roller having a flat face for rolling contact with the side of the spring andhaving'a length greater than the thickness 'of the spreader. v

a. A leaf-'spring spreader comprising a shank, a spreader member formed integrally therewith, a prying member adjustable on the shank, and means for securing the prying position, saidprying member including a pivoted lever havinga labfaced roller secured in the 'short end for engaging the side of the spring.

5. A leaf-spring spreader comprising a shank of L shaped form, a spreader point formed integrally therewith at the endV of the short arm and lying parallel with the body of the shank, said body of the shank being notched at regular intervals, a block apertured to receive the shank body and adapted to engage in said notches, means for locking the block in any ofthe notches whereby the device is positively adjustable for use with springs of variousY standard widths, a lever pivoted' to the block practically in alinementV with the spreader point,

a roller carried at the short end of the lever having a flat face for engaging the side of the spring providing a pry for forcing the spreader point between the leaves, the length of the roller being greater than the thickness of the spreader point, and a spring engaging portion on the lever limiting the prying movement of the lever substantially as and for the purpose described. A

6. In a,leafspring spreader, Va spreader n'ieinber having a sharp edge substantially semi-circular in contour, means Vwhereby'V the spreader member may be forced between the leaves, and a flat-faced roller riding against the side of the spring opposite to that enmember having rolling Contact with the opposite side of the spring in oppostion to the spreader.

8. In a leaf-spring spreader, a shank, a spreader point formed integrally therewith, said shank being notched, a block slidable on the shank adapted to engage in the said notches, means for securing the block in adjusted position, a lever pivoted to the block, a roller carried in the short arm of the lever Y adapted for engagement with the side of the spring to torce the spreader between theA short arm of the lever having a flat face adapted to Contact the side of the spring to force the spreader point between the leaves, and means on the lever adapted to engage the side of the spring upon movement of the roller beyond a line drawn from the spreader point to the pivot point of the lever whereby the spreader is locked in position.

l0. In a leaf spring spreader, a wedge shaped spreader member oval in cross-section having a sharp edge substantially semicircular in contour, a pivoted lever, and a roller carried by the lever adapted to engage the side of the spring when the lever is operated to torce the spreader between the leaves.

li. In a leaspring spreader, a shank, a spreader member carried thereby, a carriage adjustable on the shank, a lever pivoted to the carriage, and a roller carried by the lever adapted to have a rolling contact with the side of the spring when the lever is turned to force the spreader between the leaves. A

12. In a leaf-spring spreader, a spreader member substantially oval in cross section having a sharp edge practically semi-circular in contour, a pivoted lever for forcing the spreader between the leaves on one side of the spring, and a Hat-faced roller riding against the other side of the spring in opposition to the spreader member.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence oi two Witnesses.

JOSEPH M. HOMMEL.

Witnesses:

EMENs B. WISNER, CHARLES E. WISNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C. 

